weston



(No Model.) 4 Sheetseeeee 1.

v E W B S T 0 N. V GUT-OUT FOR I: 0000000000000000 s.

4-SheetsSheet 2. E. WESTON. CUT-OUT FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

Patented 0013.17, 1882.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3. E. WESTON.

GUT-OUTv FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

No. 266,241. Patented O0t.17, 1882.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4'.

E. WESTON.

CUT-OUT FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

No. 266,241. Patented O0t.17,' 1882.

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UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDNVARD WESTON, OF NEVVAPK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNITED STATESELECTRIC LIGHTING COMPANY, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

CUT-OUT FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 266,241, dated October1'7, 1882, Application filed May 8, 1892. (N model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD WEs'roN, residing in Newark, in the county ofEssex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Out-Outs for Electric Circuits, of which the followingis a specification, reference beinghad to the drawings accompanying andforming part of the same.

IO The subject of my present invention is a manual switch orcircuit-controlling device for cutting out parts of an electric circuitwithout interrupting the continuityof themain portion thereof ordisturbing the operation of what- 1 ever devices may be connectedtherewith.

The apparatus is designed particularly to be used at aneasily-accessible point in an electric-light circuit where it enters abuilding of any description, the purpose being to afford an easy andsafe means of cutting the current off from the conductors within suchbuilding, so that in case of a fire or an accident no injury can resultto persons within who may accidentally come in contact with theconductors.

The objects which I have in view are mainly to produce an apparatus theaction of which will be readily apparent to unskilled persons, and themanipulation of which is perfectly free from danger. For this purpose Ihave de- 0 vised the apparatus which I will-now describe by reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 represents in perspectivean open case containing the apparatus, Fig. 2, a vertical section of thesame; Fig. 3, a rear view, partly in section, of the circuit-controllingmechanism; Fig. at, a horizontal section of the same; Fig. 5, a face andrear view of adet-ail.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

4:) In the interior of a small wooden box, D, is

fixed on an insulating-base a branching standard, T. In this isjournaled a shaft, A, the ends of which project, as shown in Fig. 3. Oneach end of the shaft is fitted a sleeve of in- 5 sulating material, andover these are passed rings of metal I) 0, having lugs or carsprojecting from them.- One of the rings, as c, has

also extendingfrom it, or in any suitable manner attached to it, whetherinsulated or not, a

lever, L. A stout spring, 5, attached to the upper part of the box D, isconnected with lever L and draws the same up. On the lugs projectingfrom rings 1) 0 are screwed heavy flat springs B O, and to the rings aresoldered or clamped flexible copper strips B 0, leading to binding-postsw 10. In the center of box D is a wooden partition, N, cut away below tomake room for the shaft and its appurtenances, and to the. upper part ofsaid partition are clamped two pairs of metal plates, H K. The pairmarked H is connected to independentbinding-posts. Theremainingpair, K,is in metallic contact. Upon these plates the ends of springs B O arearranged to slide. Under the shaft A is a pivoted lever, E, forcedupward by a stout spring, 0. Said leveris provided with a catch, inwhich a too, a, on the shaft A may be caused to engage. These parts areso constructed as to occupy but little space, and are all contained inthe back of box 1). A partition, I, is fixed in the forward part of thebox and shuts all of them from sight except the ends of levers E and L,which project through slots in the said partition into the forwardcompartment of the box D. A block of wood, G, having written or printedthereon the words On and Off, or other similar words or characters, isconnected to the end of a short pin,g, set. in the shaft A, and arrangedto slide in a space provided for the purpose between the partition P andedge of partition N. An aperture is formed in partition P, through'which one-half of the block or slide G at a time may be seen.

\Vhen used this apparatus is fixed to the wall of a building into whicha circuit is to be introduced. The conductor forming the main circuit issevered and its ends connected with the binding-posts 1010. Theterminals of the wire which carries the current through the 0 buildingare connected with bindingposts t I If, new, the lever L be depressed,the shaft A is turned and brings the ends of the springs B O in contactwith the forward pair of plates, H, where they are held by the toe aengaging 5 with the catch on lever E. The circuitis thus completedthrough the building, and the slide orindicatorshould now expose theword On.

Should the lever E be depressed so as to release the toe a, the shaft Aflies back, bringing the springs on the rear pair of plates-4n otherwords, forming a short circuit between the binding-posts w w.Theindicatoris by this operation raised, and exposes the word Off.

In order to prevent any tampering with the apparatus, the box is closed,whether by a hinged door, D, or a slide which is securely fastened on.In the door is a small window, F, which allows ready inspection of theindicator within, and which may be broken for depressing the key E, ifit is not otherwise possible to gain access to the interior of the box.

It will be seen that as the only exposed parts of the cut-out apparatusare the ends of the two keys or levers no accident orinjury to unskilledpersons manipulating the same is possible, as these are entirelyinsulated from one another. Without such precautions it is possible fora person to receive from the conductors of a circuit from a largemachinea dangerous shock in an attempt to break or shunt the current.

Having now fully explained the nature of my invention and the bestmanner of which I am at present aware of carrying the same into effect,what I claim is- 1. The combination of a shunting or shortcircuitingapparatus, levers for operating the same, and an indicator connectedwith a movable portion of the apparatus, as described, with a box orcasing divided into compartments by a slotted partition secured therein,

'the slots being arranged to allow the levers to extend through them andto expose the indicator to view.

2. In a shunting or short'circuiting apparatus, the combination of anoscillating shaft, two contact-springs, forming terminals of an electriccircuit, fixed thereto, a lever for turning said shaft, a lever providedwith a catch for holding it in place, and contact-plates placed in thepath of movement of the springs, two of said plates being connected withinsulated binding-posts and two in metallic con tact, as and for thepurpose set forth.

3. The combination of oscillating shaft A, insulated rings 1) c, andsprings 13 O, fixed thereto, key L, spring 8, and keyE, having a catchfor engaging with a toe on shaft A, with contact-plates H K andcircuit-connections to the springs B U and from the plates ll,snhstantially as described.

4. The combination, with an oscillating shaft, A, springs B and G, anddevices for lockingand releasing thesaid shaft, of circuitclosingsprings connected with the shaft, contact-plates H K, and anindicator-slide, G, connrcted with and operated by the movement of theshaft A, as set forth.

In testimony whereof-I have hereunto set my hand this 3d day of May,1882.

EDWARD IVESTON.

Witnesses:

HENRY A.YBEOKMEYER, l\IAURIGE A. MULLER.

